House committee advances Motor Vehicle Modernization Act, which includes R2R provisions
Federal right-to-repair requirements and new ADAS calibration standards took a big step foward to becoming law after the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act of 2026 (H.R. 7389), by a 48-1 vote.
This legislation will now move forward for consideration as part of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development for America’s 250th Act.
Repair access provisions move forward
Amended version of certain REPAIR Act provisons were brought into the bill, and if the bill passes, would finally get some federal right-to-repair protections. While it's not as broad as the original legislation, the measure would still codify existing industry agreements regarding access to vehicle repair and diagnostic information.
This means the voluntary agreement between OEMs and the aftermarket that exists via memorandums of understanding (MOUs), covering both light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles, would have federal enforcement mechanisms.
For our latest coverage on R2R:
The legislation names the Federal Trade Commission as the enforement agency, which could step in on violations as unfair or deceptive trade practices.
The move addresses a longstanding concern among fleets, independent repair shops, and aftermarket service providers about access to OEM-owned diagnostic and repair information as vehicles become increasingly software-driven.
However, the version approved by the committee does not include anything on telematics and direct wireless data access provisions contained in the original REPAIR Act proposal. Rep. Neal Dunn (R-Fla.), lead sponsor of the REPAIR Act, said the revised legislation is progress but does not fully reflect the intent of the original bill when it comes to telematics information.
ADAS calibration requirements
The legislation also contains an amended version of the ADAS Functionality and Integrity Act, aimed at ensuring advanced safety systems continue to operate as intended after vehicles are repaired or modified.
Sec. 221 of H.R. 7389 directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to study the impact that common vehicle modifications have on ADAS functionality and calibration.
The review would focus on the 10 most common vehicle modifications and evaluate their impact on ADAS performance, including ride-height changes, wheel and tire dimensions, and the operation of sensors and cameras. The organization has 18 months to publish a report.
This information would be used to develop recommendations for calibration procedures for ADAS and other vehicle systems following modifications or repairs, as well as a process allowing vehicle manufacturers to provide modification ranges and tolerances for their vehicles.
Looking ahead
Taken together, the ADAS provisions and the R2R language indicate a step forward, but not a clear resolution for either side of the debate. For supporters of broader and more unrestricted access to repair data, that still matters.
As Rep. Dunn put it, the current framework still doesn’t go far enough on data and telematics access, and he made clear the work isn’t over: “I want to get the real REPAIR Act done, and I will not back down from this fight.”
About the Author
Lucas Roberto
Lucas Roberto is an Associate Editor for Fleet Maintenance magazine. He has written and produced multimedia content over the past few years and is a newcomer to the commercial vehicle industry. He holds a bachelor's in media production and a master's in communication from High Point University in North Carolina.